Chimpanzee Trekking in Kibale National Park compared with Kalinzu Forest

Chimpanzee Trekking in Kibale National Park compared with Kalinzu forest. Kibale Forest National Park is best known for its number and variety of resident primates with 13 species of primates including the largest population of chimpanzees in Uganda estimated at over 1500 chimpanzees, other primates found in Kibale Forest include the nocturnal bushbaby and potto, Monkeys, baboons among others. Chimp Trekking in Kibale forest national park is also a popular destination for birders with over 335 bird species recorded.

Chimpanzee trekking is done in two sessions in the morning and afternoon this will be determined by the chimpanzee permit you purchase and your itinerary to trek in a given session accordingly. Kalinzu forest is found in southwestern Uganda in the district of Bushenyi. The forest reserve is close to Maramagambo forest and Queen Elizabeth National Park, it is home to six species of primates which chimpanzees, baboons, blue monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, l’hoest monkeys, Vervet monkeys, black and white Colobus monkeys. Compare chimpanzee trekking in Kibale National Park with Kalinzu forest

Chimpanzee Trekking cost in Kibale National Park compared with Kalinzu forest

The cost of a chimpanzee permit in Kalinzu forest is $50. This is far less than the $200 charged for trekking in Kibale National Park. For Kalinzu forest Chimpanzee permits can be booked at the reception Centre of the reserve or more conveniently through a tour operator. Though Chimpanzee permits in Kalinzu forest can be got on the day of tracking, it is important to book in advance to be on the safer side. For Kibale forest National Park chimp permits can be booked at the head reservations of Uganda Wildlife Authority or at Kibale Forest National Park

The chimpanzee treks at both Kibale National Park and Kalinzu forest start early morning with briefing about the dos and don’ts at the forest headquarters, you are later grouped in groups of members each with Park guides, Rangers who lead you to the forest for your chimpanzee experience. The trek takes about 2 to 4 hours, depending on the movement of the chimpanzees. Once the chimps are found you will stay for one hour with these amazing creatures to watch them eating, resting and playing. The trek gives of chances of viewing other primates, reptiles and mammals and the chances of seeing chimpanzees at Kibale National Park and Kalinzu forest are 95%.

What is the best time for Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale National Park and Kalinzu forest?

Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale National Park and Kalinzu forest is best done in the months of June to October and December to March during this time it is a dry season in Uganda with mild rainfall making it easy for Chimpanzee trekking in the Forest, as well during this time the vegetation is not fully grown and it is easy for viewing the chimpanzees offering great sights for photographs. During the other months of April, May and November which is normally a wet season this makes the vegetations grow high making the sightings unclear however during this time the treks tend to be shorter given the fact chimpanzees don’t move further distances looking for food, food is readily available. Chimpanzee trekking in both Kibale National Park and Kalinzu forest can be done throughout the year given the fact it is a very well organized activity and you have 99% chances of seeing the Chimpanzees. Chimpanzee Trekking in Kibale National Park compared with Kalinzu forest

In terms of Chimpanzee families, Kibale National Park has more chimpanzee families open for trekking than Kalinzu forest.

In terms of the best Chimpanzee trekking experience, the whole truth is that both Kibale National Park and Kalinzu forest have chimpanzees and there is no big difference when it comes to the experience obtained at the end of your trek. Chances of seeing chimpanzees in Kibale National Park and Kalinzu forest are 95% so which ever forest you visit you will be able to see these great apes in their natural environment. Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale National Park also gives you an option to spend more time with the chimpanzees through chimpanzee habituation experience, a chimpanzee habituation permit costs USD250 per person Non-Foreign Residents, USD250 Per person Foreign Residents and USD41 for Uganda Citizens giving you more hours encounter with the semi habituated chimpanzees under the guidance of trackers and researchers as opposed to one hour for the normal trekking.

In terms of Lodges, Both Kibale National Park and Kalinzu forest have Budget accommodations and camping grounds in forests, the Mid Range and Upmarket Lodges can also be found close to the forest that is in Queen Elizabeth National Park close to Kalinzu forest. Kibale has more options for lodges which most are found in the park compared to Kalinzu

How to access Kibale Forest National Park for Chimpanzee Trekking

By Road; Kibale Forest National Park can be accessed through the main safari circuit from Entebbe/Kampala to Fortportal which approximately 4-5 hours drive. You can as well access the park through Kampala-Mabara-Kasese highway, from Kasese you will connect to the Kibale Forest with 1-2 hours drive.

By Air; You can fly from Entebbe International Airport or Kampala’s Kajjansi airfield to Kasese airstrip from here you will transfer to Kibale Forest National Park. Scheduled and chartered flights are available and operated by domestic airline operators of Aero link and Fly Uganda. You will need to plan with your tour operator for a transfer from the airstrip to the Park

How to access Kalinzu forest for Chimpanzee Trekking

By Road; Kalinzu forest can be accessed through the main safari circuit from Entebbe/Kampala to Kasese either via Fort portal or Bushenyi which approximately 6-7 hours drive. You can as well access the park through Kampala-Fort portal-Kasese highway, from Kasese you will connect to the Kyambura Gorge with 1-2 hours drive. The best way to get Kalinzu forest from Kampala is driving through the Kampala-Mbarara-Busenyi highway.

By Air; You can fly from Entebbe International Airport or Kampala’s Kajjansi airfield to Kasese airstrip from here you will transfer to Kalinzu forest. Scheduled and chartered flights are available and operated by domestic airline operators of Aero link and Fly Uganda. You will need to plan with your tour operator for a transfer from the airstrip to Kalinzu forest for chimpanzee trekking

Where to stay during Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest National Park

There are many accommodation options in Kibale Forest National Park where you can stay during your Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest National Park these range from budget, mid-range to luxury let us now we will book for you accordingly.

Accommodation in Kibale Forest National Park, Budget options include Chimpanzee Forest Guest House, Isunga Lodge, Mountains of the Moon, Rwenzori view Guest House, Kibale Home Stay among others these cost USD90-100 per person per night, mid-range include Kibale Forest Camp, Turaco Treetops Lodge and Prime Lodge Kibale among others these cost USD150-200 per person per night, Luxury options include Ndali Lodge, Crater Safari Lodge, Papaya Lake Lodge and Kyaninga Lodge these cost USD250-700 per person per night.

Where to stay during Chimpanzee trekking in Kalinzu forest

There are many accommodation options in Kalinzu forest where you can stay during your Chimpanzee trekking here these range from budget, mid-range to luxury let us now we will book for you accordingly.

The best places to stay are accommodations in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Ishaka or Busenyi town Options include Tuza Hotel, Kyengabi Resort, Kyambura Gorge Lodge, Budget options include Pumba Safari Lodge, Elephant Hab lodge among others these cost USD90-100 per person per night, mid-range include Buffalo Safari Lodge among others these cost USD150-200 per person per night, Luxury options include Kyambura Gorge Lodge, Katara Lodge and Mazike Lodge these cost USD250-700 per person per night.

Why book your chimpanzee trek in Kibale Forest National Park and Kalinzu forest with Eco Adventure Safaris?

Eco Adventure Safaris takes pride in customizing tailor-made safaris. It has a very diligent and trust worthy team. Your queries are answered within 30 minutes by our team of professional tour consultants. These consultants will make a travel plan for you, answer all your questions and make sure all your services are booked in advance for you to avoid inconveniences. There are some Kibale Forest National Park and Kalinzu forest safari Packages; the 3 day Kibale Forest National Park Chimp safari, 6 Day Kibale Forest National Park and Kalinzu forest safari, it all depends on your preference. Feel free to contact us.